IMMORTAL (IMMORTAL BOOK 1)

14

Joseph

Joseph sat silent on the bench as he looked at Ricky who was buying some canned drinks at the machine near the park.

What am I doing...?

He monologued, feeling awkward being comforted by a college kid. However, he did admit that he was almost at his limit on searching for Serah after a full 20 years.

He lowered his gaze to the sandy ground and sighed. Then, he leaned against the back of the bench and looked at the dark blue sky. The stars were glittering brightly.

I wonder if, Serah also sees the same sky as I am right now?

What is she doing at this moment? I hope she's fine.

He fell silent again. At those silent moments, the only words that he muttered were "I miss you..."

At that moment, Ricky had already reached Joseph and he heard his muttering. He cleared his throat and pretended that he didn't hear his lonely words.

Joseph who noticed that Ricky was already there, quickly sat straight and looked at him while smiling, as if nothing had happened.

Yep, this guy is heartbroken.

Ricky thought. He kinda regretted asking for them to hang out. He didn't even know him.

Yep, I'm doomed

Joseph thought, the guy must've regretted wanting to hang out with him.

After a long while of awkward silence between them, Ricky handed Joseph a can of sarsaparilla.

"Here."

He said. Joseph slowly accepted the can and Ricky sat beside him while gently put some more can of drinks from his jacket onto the space between where the both of them sat.

"Take some more if you've finished drinking that one."He took a can and opened it. A pssh sound could be heard from the lid. "I'll listen to your story."

He gulped down the drink and leaned against the bench while crossing his legs loosely. Joseph looked flabbergasted for a moment.

"Well, uh, I don't know you?" Joseph said. Indeed, the both of them just met randomly at the playground and suddenly Ricky asked to hang out, and suddenly he asked what's Joseph's problems were.

He admitted that he had many troubles these days that maybe, just maybe, he couldn't even digest what's been happening to him at that time.

"The name's Ricky, nice to meet you."

He grinned and finished the remaining sarsaparilla in the can.

"What's your name?" Ricky asked, the second can already opened in his hands.

"...My name is Joseph, a writer."

Joseph introduced himself to Ricky. The writer part was unnecessary though.

"Oh, writer eh? Nice." He grinned and leaned against the bench again, he slowed down his pace to match Joseph's. The atmosphere fell silent again.

"Hey, Ricky..." Joseph said, breaking the silence.

"Hmm?" Ricky answered as he sipped the drink. The sarsaparilla tasted surprisingly good for someone like him who drinks beer as his daily necessity.

"Do you, believe in fairies?"

His sipping stopped. He looked at Joseph and suddenly, the image of the shiny golden dust appeared in his mind. He shook his head slightly and looked at Joseph again.